Elsewhere, miners and engineering firms had a good showing. Eurasian Natural Resources – which this morning posted a 6.8 per cent increase in ferrochrome output in the fourth quarter – rose more than 2.5 per cent.

Copper miner Kazakhmys was up 2.62 per cent, while Weir Group added 2.33 per cent in early deals.

Outside of the blue chips, airline Flybe soared almost 13 per cent as it announced a new Irish airline deal with Ryanair.

As for the blue chip fallers, Unilever topped the FTSE 100 loser board, down 1.16 per cent in early deals.